Injured Stormers captain Schalk Burger will not travel with the team to Australasia.

Burger, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the Stormers’ first match of the season, was expected to make his return in the Cape side’s second tour game against the Crusaders. However, coach Allister Coetzee said on Saturday night that Burger will not be risked in any of the four matches Down Under, and will only be available to play when the team returns to South Africa.

This decision means that Jean de Villiers will continue to lead the team, while Siya Kolisi should retain the Stormers No 6 jersey.

The 26-man squad will depart for New Zealand on Sunday. The Stormers begin their tour with a match against the Highlanders before facing the Crusaders, Reds and Force on successive weekends.